All being well, Holyrood Distillery on St Leonard's Lane will open to the public this summer.

They have already started producing gin and their full range will be available for sampling at The Gin Lounge in the Assembly Rooms this weekend.

Unlike whisky, which must be matured for at least three years, gin can be distilled, bottled and put on sale almost immediately.

As many new distilleries have launched, they have started making gin as a way of ensuring cash flow while their whisky matures.

This has led to a massive boom in gin brands both in Scotland and further afield.

You can taste more than 50 of them this Saturday 6th July.

Over two sessions (noon-4pm and 5pm-9pm), gin enthusiasts will be able to sample products from companies such as Brockman’s Gin, Nerabus Gin, Darnley’s Gin, Berry Bros & Rudd, The Lakes Distillery, Crafty Distillery and Mackmyra Swedish Organic Gin.

Gin master classes

 Following a successful inaugural event last December, The Gin Lounge will also include a series of informative master classes led by industry experts as part of the experience.

Festival goers will also be able to join fun and educational workshops to try their hand at cocktail making and create their own gin.

 Amanda Ludlow, founder of The Gin Lounge and co-founder of its sister company, The Whisky Lounge, said:

'We’re delighted that Holyrood Distillery will be joining us at The Gin Lounge. Here is a distillery bringing back a great tradition to the heart of Scotland’s capital city and it will be the first opportunity to experience the tastes and flavours they can produce.

'As a team, we are passionate about gin and we are delighted to bring the festival back to Edinburgh following the success of our inaugural event in December last year. We are looking forward to sharing our expertise with attendees and to give them the chance to discover their new favourite gins, while learning about the skills required to create great gin. A multi-sensory experience, The Gin Lounge offers an exciting day out with a difference.'

Tickets are on sale now and cost £45, including all gin samples, mixers, expert master classes, a festival guide and a commemorative glass.